Short answers, pulled from the story.
A zapovednik describes a protected area with the highest degree of environmental protection available across former Soviet territories. These zones remain strictly restricted for the general public while functioning as important sites for research and education.
The Barguzin Nature Reserve became the first state-organized reserve established on the 1st of January 1916 on Lake Baikal's eastern shore. This initial effort aimed to protect sable populations declining from over-hunting during the early 20th century.
Vasily Dokuchaev developed the theoretical justification known as zapovednost during the 1890s and early 20th century. His work as a soil biologist established the concept of total nature protection requiring the exclusion of people from designated areas.
In Russia alone there are 101 such reserves covering about 63 million hectares representing roughly 1.4% of the country's total landmass. Most fall under the oversight of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources with two exceptions managed by other institutions.
Zapovedniks protect ecosystems stretching from Arctic tundra to temperate forests including taiga coniferous boreal forest and deciduous oak zones. Approximately fifteen sites protect Arctic desert environments while about forty reserves safeguard taiga ecosystems throughout Siberia and European Russia.